• Why does OCD affect people some times and other times they are fine? ♫Click for audio response
• What is the easiest way to transition from high school tests to college exams? ♫Click for audio response
• Is it possible to keep a long distance relationship going? How? ♫Click for audio response
• Is joining a fraternity or sorority right for me? ♫Click for audio response
• How can I deal with problems with my roommate? ♫Click for audio response
• I don’t know what to do with my life. I’m completely lost, but I have to decide today. ♫Check back for audio response
• I am going home for the holidays and I’m stressed about what is going to happen. What are some things I could do to ease my stress? ♫Check back for audio response
• What can I do with a degree in psychology? ♫Check back for audio response
• Last semester I had a problem with oversleeping. I’d sleep 13-14 hours even though I wasn’t bored. Why could that be? ♫Check back for audio response
• How do I adjust to living at home with my parents after being in school for two semesters? ♫Check back for audio response
   

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a disorder with a variety of symptoms that impact individuals differently. Some individuals may be able to manage/control their symptoms and others may not be able to manage/control them. The symptoms of OCD also vary in that they may come and go, lessen over time, or get worse depending on a number of factors (i.e., stress level, triggers). It has been shown that individuals with OCD usually responds well to medication and psychotherapy. Specifically, certain medications and exposure-based psychotherapy have been shown to be effective treatment methods (NIMH, 2006). Here are a few links for more information about OCD, anxiety disorders, and other related mental health concerns.

www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/anxiety.cfm
www.apa.org/divisions/div12/rev_est/anxiety.html#ocd
www.ocfoundation.org/what-is-ocd.html
www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189
Take a free and anonymous online assessment

Written by Glenna Stumblingbear, M.S.

Long distance relationships can be challenging and some last while others do not. One thing to consider in a long distance relationship is clear expectations. This can involve understanding about who initiates contact and when, boundaries with other people, and future plans. It is common for college-aged individuals to change their interests, personalities, and habits; which sometimes leads to growing apart. Clear expectations can help each person in a relationship to ultimately achieve what is most healthy for them. A second consideration is communication. Long distance couples can be creative in the ways they communicate and technology increases possible options. Face-to-face visits are important, but a potential pitfall to watch out for is expecting too much from in-person visits. Additionally, it can help if both partners have the same or similar levels of trust and commitment to the relationship. Jealousy is a common problem that can be avoided or minimized with mutual trust and commitment. Honesty is a final consideration for long-distance relationships. It is important to honestly express feelings for mutual support and intimacy. This might sometimes include an desire to pursue other relationship possibilities. Relationships are difficult at times and long distance relationships have added stressors and challenges, but making a long distance relationship work is definitely possible. Below are some useful websites:

www.lovingyou.com/content/advice/ldr/
www.longdistancerelationships.net/index.html
www.ldrtips.com/

Written by Jason White, Ph.D.

Becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority can mean entering into a lifetime commitment of brotherhood or sisterhood. Deciding if this commitment is right for you can be difficult. One way to make the decision easier is to determine if the founding principles or requirements of the organization are a good fit with your personal interests.

First, fraternities and sororities place a strong emphasis on academic achievement and educational support. Attending study hall is typically required for new members and members falling below the minimal required GPA. Students with membership in a fraternity or sorority have higher graduation rates than non-members.

Second, the Greek system promotes campus leadership that offers networking opportunities around the campus and community. Many members hold leadership offices governing the student body as well as in their local chapter. There is an expectation for fraternity or sorority members to get involved with community service and philanthropy activities. Individual Greek life organizations sponsor fundraisers to raise money for their national or local philanthropy and participant in events to better their community. Planning and organizing homecoming events is a big event each fall. Many students are involved on sports teams in high school and look to continue recreational activities.

At the college level, physical wellness is promoted through competing on intramural sports teams. The formation of teams within an organization is easy given the large group of individuals with varying athletic abilities. The college experience is expanded beyond the classroom with membership in a fraternity or sorority. Social events are planned to help keep students connected to one another, involved, and to build networking relationships for future career opportunities.

Members of the Greek system encompass 18% of OSU students. If these values of scholarship, leadership, service, recreation, and friendship are meaningful to you, then committing to a fraternity or sorority may be rewarding. Other things to consider before making a commitment include individual time management skills, organizational skills, intrapersonal characteristics, and interpersonal characteristics. These last few skills and characteristics will serve as coping mechanisms for stress that is often associated with serving in many different roles and having to meet several obligations. For more information on joining a fraternity, sorority, multicultural fraternity or sorority, or traditional African American fraternity or sorority, you can contact members of the local organizations. For more information view the links below.

http://union.okstate.edu/GoGreek/
http://nicindy.org/going_greek/friends_fraternity_forever/

Written by Wendy Sims, M.A.

Roommate problems can be serious and troubling for all involved. Sometimes, the first experience that we have in sharing close living quarters with someone else is during our transition to college life. However, dealing with these issues positively can be an experience one can build on in order to have better relationships throughout their life. Following are a few tips:

• Discuss your expectations with your roommate. Sometimes, a meeting, usually best early on in the semester and at a neutral location (discussing things over food can be good) to discuss everyone’s expectations can help clearly communicate what living conditions and behaviors are important to everyone. Listening to your roommate’s expectations is just as important.
• Develop a contract together. Once your expectations have been aired, you and your roommate can work together on a simple set of rules that you will both agree to follow. It can be helpful to post these on a wall to serve as a reminder.
• Communicate! If a problem arises, don’t wait until you’re about to explode with anger before you mention it. Calm words are often better received than words tinged with anger. Also, using phrases such as “I have trouble getting up for class in the morning when you play your music at midnight” instead of “You’re the most incredibly inconsiderate human being in the world!” (or other more colorful language) will likely produce less defensiveness in your roommate and a greater likelihood of change on their part.
• If all else fails, bring in outside help. If you’ve tried to resolve your problems and failed, perhaps it’s time to bring in help such as a resident assistant or someone else to help resolve matters.
• Be flexible. Remember, this is your roommate’s living space, too, and they have the same rights you do. It’s important to realize that a degree of flexibility on everyone’s part can make your life much easier.

Further information can be found at:

www.fmuniv.edu/counselingcenter/gettingalong.htm
www.collegebound.net/content/article/dealing-with-a-depressed-roommate/1654/
www.collegebound.net/content/article/producing-roommate-harmony/2327/
www.collegebound.net/content/article/roommate-face-off-how-to-avoid-a-dorm-divorce/2383/
www.collegebound.net/content/article/roommates-101-48-ways-to-keep-the-peace/1656/
www.reslife.okstate.edu/

Written by Brian Ess, M.S.

We hear this a lot in the Career Resource Center (the CRC). Students walk into the CRC feeling very stressed about making a decision that they believe will impact the rest of their lives. This can cause a student to “freeze up” or to “be all over the map.” In either case, he/she could feel frustrated, scared, overwhelmed, and/or very anxious.

It is very rewarding to be able to educate students on the fantastic resources available on campus. For enrolled students and even for prospective students, the CRC has free access to online career and major exploration programs: eDiscover, Oklahoma Career Information System (OKCIS), and “Do What You Are.” These programs allow a student to learn about him/herself, that is, where are his or her work related interests, abilities, and values, and then the student can apply this knowledge to investigate majors and occupations. CRC staff are trained to help students use the online programs, but students can also take the access and continue to explore at any time and place he/she has Internet access. It can take 5 to 6 minutes to take some of the assessments or about 20 to 30 minutes to take others and all can be saved for reviewing with a counselor, an academic advisor, or with parents.

If the free programs have not met the student’s needs, a counselor in the CRC or in the Student Counseling Center can administer two other assessments that require a counselor for interpretation and each has a $16 charge. These are the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Each assessment takes about 20 to 30 minutes to complete and is usually taken online, with the results downloaded by the counselor.

Students have limitless access to the CRC and all its resources and staff. The CRC is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, including the lunch hour, but might occasionally be closed for a class visit or a meeting. Students are encouraged to call and schedule an appointment to ensure that a counselor or staff is available.

Career Resource Center (CRC)
308 Student Union
405-744-6434
www.okstate.edu/ucs/cssc5.htm
This site provides easy access to—

• Degree Sheets
• Tutoring Resources
• University Academic Services
• Graduate Degrees
• Sports-Related Majors
• Pre-Law Majors
• Pre-Health Majors
• Career Links
• Career Services for OSU Colleges
• And More

Oklahoma Career Information System
Do What You Are
O*Net

Written by Deborah Bransford, M.S., LPC

Holidays can be filled with busy schedules, parties, shopping, laughter, but also there can be tension and stress. For many people, the holidays mean time off from regular activities, while sharing good times and good food with family and friends. For others, this can be a frustrating and anxiety-provoking time, due to changes in work and exercise habits and dietary concerns. For many, holidays are shared with family, friends and loved ones, yet for many this can be a difficult or dreaded time.

At home, some feel weighted down by old rules or expectations. Feeling compelled to live up to family expectations, which may even be dysfunctional, can leave one feeling angry, guilty, or worthless. Under stress, it may be difficult to avoid returning to old behavior patterns which you know to be ultimately harmful, such as over or under eating.

Visiting home for the holidays especially if it's your parents' first time for you to be away for an extended period can be stressful and enlightening. Parents often expect that your visit home will be to spend a lot of time with them and your other family members while your plans may be different. Sometimes, parents will make all your favorite foods, make plans for you, or even load you up with chores. Many times all of these efforts have the same aim which is to insure that you do spend time with them.

One area of conflict may be your expectation that you can follow the same rules at home that you follow away at school, versus your parents expectation that you will continue to follow the guidelines you followed in high school.

There are many issues and changes that are an inevitable part of growing that you and your family will experience during your college years. For most, these changes are stressful but normal milestones that they simply grow through. For others, these transitions can be so stressful that they interfere with successful functioning.

There are a number of things you can do for yourself during the upcoming holiday season:

• It might help to have a heart-to-heart with your parent(s) about your concerns. There may be a need to revise old rules which no longer fit. A conflict of values and ideas is normal. If you can stay out of a blaming or victim mode, you will feel more in control and maintain a clearer perspective regarding your differences. Some conflicts can be avoided by letting your parents in on your plans before you walk in the door and making sure to include them. Let them know your intentions so they won't have to be so concerned about getting a chance to spend time with you. Problems may be avoided by discussing ahead of time the differing expectations you and your folks have.
• It may also be helpful to stay in contact with your roommate or campus friends. Sometimes talking with a friend can be a great relief.
• Have fun!! This is a time to enjoy a break away